Kamal Shalorus
The Hardest Working Champ: Eduard Folayang is ready to defend his belt around his sporting commitments
The card that hasn’t been named yet is beginning to take shape with the announcement of lighweight champion Eduard Folayang’s first title defense on April 21. Ben Askren will also defend his welterweight belt here in Manila.
Related article: ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong promises fireworks in organization’s return to Manila
On the night of November 11, 2016 Eduard Folayang ended Shinya Aoki’s ONE lightweight championship reign. Aoki, who won the belt following his victory over Kotetsu Boku in 2013, lost in his third title defense in Singapore against our very own Eduard Folayang.
Related article: Eduard Folayang Brings the Belt Back to the Land and Put Team Lakay’s ONE Title Drought in an End
MMA has been a real journey for Eduard Folayang like no other. From competing and doing enough to earn a shot at the title to taking the championship belt. This just goes to show that working hard and pursuing what you love helps you reach your goals. I said it before and always will that no one deserves it more than this guy. Without God and support from Team Lakay and fans, none of these are possible.
Eduard Folayang does look like he is enjoying being the champion. He is taking the love and respect pretty much from his countrymen. He is still center stage not only lifting his gold belt but recognitions for sports contribution. The champion stays busy also on motivational speaking and studio appearances for TV and radio shows. The Igorot warrior keeps on inspiring the Filipinos by his humbleness, being down to earth, approachable and his warm treatment to all despite being a ONE lightweight king.
We will see a better version of “Landslide”. He has been training non-stop and in great shape at the same time. The ONE Championship Fighter of the Year is ready to fight!
Let’s write another page of history,
Folayang commented.
Photos were posted by Eduard Folayang
on his Facebook page
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With a first title defense for Folayang but the challenger still to be officially announced, expect to be waiting some time until we hear the fight card. Until then, who do you think “The Landslide” should face?
Here are the two challengers who we heard could take on the The Igorot warrior for April 21:
Kamal Shalorus, who has been inactive in the past two years, is targeting a rematch against the Champion. A submission loss to Shinya Aoki in 2014 was his last fight.
Shalorus and Folayang first fought in 2013. Shalorus earned a unanimous decision victory in that battle and Folayang rebounded by winning five of his last six fights- including the one over Shinya Aoki in November- to capture the lightweight crown.
Related article: Kamal Shalorus believes a win over Ev Ting will secure a rematch with Eduard Folayang
It has been a grind for Ev Ting. The tremendous amount of hard work he put into gets him so close to have a shot at the title. “E.T.” has won three straight by complete domination. He is ready to put up one of his best performances on Feb 10 to cement the number ONE contender spot. Ev Ting and Jamal Shalorus to headline ONE: Throne of Tigers in Kuala Lumpur.
Related article: Ev “E.T.” Ting Puts On A Fight Of The Night Performance As He Steps Back Into The Cage In His Hometown
ONE lightweight champion Eduard Folayang is ready to continue dominating in his division and bringing a world title fight to Manila. Stay tuned for further updates regarding the event. What fights would you like to see added to the ONE Championship Manila card?
Kamal Shalorus believes a win over Ev Ting will secure a rematch with Eduard Folayang
Ev "E.T." Ting Puts On A Fight Of The Night Performance As He Steps Back Into The Cage In His Hometown
Five days ago, the ONE middleweight world champion Vitaly Bigdash retained his belt in Jakarta, Indonesia. But the asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion is coming back too soon. ONE Championship is already set and they return to Kuala Lumpur at Stadium Negara on February 10, 2017.
The ONE Championship 52: Throne of Tigers will headline a lightweight bout between hometown MMA superstar Ev Ting and former title challenger Kamal Shalorus of Iran.
Ev Ting won his lightweight debut on September 2016 at ONE Championship 47: Unbreakable Warriors also in front of his hometown crowd at Stadium Negara, Kula Lumpur. He scored a decision victory against Rob Lisita.
“E.T.” has fought every contenders in the featherweight including the current champion of the division Marat Gafurov. Four Filipinos were beaten by him, one of which is former champion of the same from Team Lakay Honorio Banario. This guy has a 12-3 career mixed martial arts record. Eight of his 12 wins have been finishes. Four submissions and four knockouts.
The Malaysian-Kiwi sensation gave his Pinoy fans quite a surprise when he come visit the Philippines as ONE: Age of Domination’s guest fighter last December. What a cool guy.
Ev “E.T.” Ting heads into his second fight in the ONE Championship’s lightweight division next month, but while it is his second, Ting should look at this one as more of a challenge than his last fight as his opponent who has been inactive in the past two years comes in absolutely hungry for a win.
What is the surging former featherweight going to have to bring it all for the win in front of his hometown crowd against the veteran grappler Shalorus? Watch to find out on February 10.
Also in action are Pinoy pride Burn Soriano and Roy Doliguez, Saiful American, Alex Silva, Agilan Thani, Jeff Huang, Ann Osman, Vy Srey Khouch, Herbert Burns, Movlid Khaibulaev, Keanu Subba, Ahmed Mujtaba, Tiffany Teo, Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol, Muhammad Aiman and Eduardo Novaes.
The official ONE: Throne of Tigers card |
Friday is the night! Make your plans now to watch the fight!